MP makes maiden speech in Commons
Stirling MP Stephen Kerr spoke about his “personal political credo” when he made his maiden speech in the House of Commons on July 3.
As is customary, Mr Kerr told members about his constituency and had words of praise for others who had served as MP for Stirling.
In a 13-minute address, made during a debate on extending ATOL protection for holiday bookings, Mr Kerr said that he believed in “liberty, freedom and choice”.
He added: “I enlist to the moral argument for free enterprise and free trade as the most powerful means of lifting people, whole nations and regions out of poverty.
“I believe in law and order, equality for all before the law and in the good that government can do.
“I believe that the family, in all its forms, is the basic unit of society; thriving and successful families make for a thriving and successful society, and social policy is always best seen through the filter of what strengthens the family.
“I believe in fair dealing, competition that advantages consumers and justice in all its realms.
“I believe in giving power to the people and in respecting local democracy, in the constructive tension of public accountability, and in listening carefully to the voice of the people.”
Mr Kerr spoke of the rural Stirlingshire’s farming heritage, the two distilleries in the constituency (Deanston and Glengoyne) plus the financial services and hi-tech industries here.
He added: “Stirling’s best days lie ahead.
“The enthusiastic support of the Government for the Stirling City Deal, so expertly prepared by the officers of Stirling Council, is most welcome, and I will make it my top priority to work with the Secretary of State for Scotland to secure and deliver the Stirling City Deal.
He paid tribute to his immediate predecessor as MP, the SNP’s Steven Paterson, whom he defeated by 148 votes at the General Election in May.
“His tenure was short, and I make no apology for that,” said Mr Kerr.
“That said, he was an honourable and worthy opponent whose passion for Stirling and Scotland cannot be doubted.
“His (Mr Paterson’s) predecessor was Dame Anne McGuire.
“She was Stirling’s MP for 18 years, and her public service was especially noteworthy for her tireless work to promote and extend the rights of disabled people.
“Hers is a wonderful personal legacy, and one in which we should all take pride.”
Mr Kerr also made reference to Lord Forsyth of Drumlean, the last Conservative MP for Stirling before him.
“In his maiden speech in 1983, he spoke of the problems facing rural Stirling in the field of telecommunications,” said Mr Kerr.
“That, I am sad to report to the House, remains an issue, although it is now about broadband and mobile telephony, rather than phone connections.
“I assure the House that digital connectivity is a subject I will keep coming back to.”
Mr Kerr said that the British people had made their decision on Brexit and the work of the Parliament should now be focused on “working together to get the best deal for our constituents and our country”
He added: “I believe that, in doing so, we have a duty as parliamentarians to personify civility.
“We should resist trading in dubious charges, misrepresentations and ugly innuendos.
“We should demonstrate respect for all people, become good listeners and show concern for the sincere beliefs of others; although we may disagree, we ought not to be disagreeable.”